Petherton's promotion hopes are dented by lowly Wells

North Petherton followed up their best result of the season from the previous weekend at Tor with comfortably their worst performance of the season at home to Wells on Saturday. In what was an incredibly disappointing result for Pethy, they lost 14-7 against a side that have been second from bottom for the majority of the season. They also surrendered their unbeaten run of league matches at home stretching back to September 2007, as well as undermining their chances of winning the league this season and gaining automatic promotion.

However, Wells deserved their victory as their lighter forwards and quick backs made the most of many errors by the home side. Having spurned scoring opportunities in the first-half, they counter attacked from depth and twice exploited some disorganised defence in the second half to score 2 breakaway tries. Pethy, who had taken the lead through a converted Lloyd Williams try, threw everything at the Wells line for the last 15 minutes, only to be thwarted by some terrific tackling on or near the Wells try-line. Pethy have enjoyed some good luck this season in forcing late victories, but this time they could not find the points they needed. Read the match report here.

The only consolation for Pethy after this result was that Tor had lost at home to Stothert & Pitt, meaning that Pethy remain in second place, albeit now three points behind leaders Burnham, who beat Chew Valley. All of the weekends results can be seen below.

Tribute Somerset Premier Results - Saturday 7th March 2009

Bristol Harlequins 37 - 7 Avon
Chew Valley 18 - 46 Burnham on Sea
North Petherton 7 - 14 Wells
Old Sulians 21 - 33 Chard
Tor 17 - 18 Stothert & Pitt
Winscombe 3 - 38 Midsomer Norton

On the second pitch North Petherton Seconds bounced back from their heavy defeat the previous week to notch up a league double over Wiveliscombe. For the first 20 minutes of their match they were unrecognisable from the side that struggled at Weston as they played some great rugby to establish a 19-nil lead. After that their level dropped, but they eventually sealed the win with 10 minutes remaining, just as Wivvey had looked like they were going to overhaul the deficit. Read the match report here.

This result saw Pethy Seconds move up the league table into sixth place, and if they can continue the form they showed at the weekend, a top half finish should be achievable. In other results. Weston Thirds, who have led the league all season, were beaten at Wellington 'Thirds', who had only won one match before the weekend. This allowed Castle Cary to finally overhaul them at the top after they thumped Minehead Thirds. All of the weekends results can be seen below.

Tribute Somerset Three South Results - Saturday 7th March 2009

Minehead Barbarians III 17 - 72 Castle Cary
North Petherton II 26 - 19 Wiveliscombe II
Wellington III 19 - 17 Weston-s-Mare III
Winscombe III AWO Tor III

This coming weekend the First Team face a must-win match at Stothert & Pitt who have been on an excellent run since christmas and will be difficult opponents to overcome. The Seconds are also on the road at Minehead Thirds. There will still be a home match though with the Colts entertaining Minehead. All games kick-off at 2:30pm.